Labor unions, others planning national general strike – for their right to strike

June 10th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) Costa Rica’s largest public and private labor unions and social organizations are planning a nationwide general strike in protest of labor reforms made by the government of President Laura Chinchilla, which they say seek to remove workers’ “human right” to strike.

The national general strike is planned for Tuesday, June 25th, according to Franco Benavides of the Labor Ministry workers’ association, known as AFUMITRA.

Unions such as Undeca, APSE, ANDE, UNT, ANPE and others said they have studied the reforms and believe they violate the “human right” of both public sector and private sector employees to strike.

Union representatives said that in addition to workers’ right to strike, they would also be protesting against concessions they believe violate national sovereignty, in addition to calls for the protection of farmers, the Social Security Fund and pensions, and against the “plunder” of natural resources.

Union officials say the planned strike would only be a demonstration of what will be an even greater strike against the government. Both public and private employees, dockworkers, public school teachers, and others are expected to participate in the planned strike, which leaders said would occur throughout the country.